Was Your Compassion for Nothing?--Jan. 31, 2013

 Jesus, weary from the pressing crowds,

you sought a desert place to rest;

but there was no escape.

From what inner depth did you draw,

that you were able to summon

up compassion for them?

Is it really for nothing that we ourselves

experienced your compassion--

was it all wasted on us?

Sometimes we even forget to show

compassion for our children;

but you do not forget.

O Jesus, if only we could listen to you,

if we could walk in your ways,

learn your compassion.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 143; 147; 81; 116

Isa. 49:13-26

Gal. 3:1-14

Mark 6:30-46

Selected Verses

Ps. 81:13

O that my people would listen to me,
          that Israel would walk in my ways!

Isa. 49:15

Can a woman forget her nursing child,
          or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even these may forget,
          yet I will not forget you.

Gal. 3:4

Did you experience so much for nothing? — if it really was for nothing.

Mark 6:31, 34

[Jesus] said to [the apostles], “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” …As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.